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Seeing is Believing! Wednesday, January 12, 2011 from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Oakville Elementary Campus, 2050 Neyagawa Blvd. what school should be Please join us for an Open House at our Oakville Elementary Campus HERITAGE Lifestyle Home Furnishings SINCE 1977 4205 Fairview Street, Burlington 905-634-5298 www.heritagefurniture.ca January Sales Event! Savings up to 50% Off $799 NowAntique Black Queen Bed Many Items In Stock for Immediate Delivery! From $1099Executive Desks In-Stock $1299 Solid Wood Canadian Made Table & 4 Chairs $3499In-Stock Leather Sectional 7 Friday , January 7, 2011 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m first-time homebuyers do not need, or afford, more than a small apartment, yet they prefer to live in a larger house. Then, as they establish a family, they can occupy the entire house, rather than move. And finally, after their grown-up children leave, the second suite could be rented out again to supplement the pension. By encouraging multi-generational living, second units have positive social ramifications, such as home care for the children and the eld- erly, preferred in many traditional families. Second units strengthen a neighbourhood, by reducing the need to move due to econom- ic hardship. By renting out the second suite when facing financial difficulties, homeowners can more easily pay the mortgage and keep their homes. For people who are away for longer periods, such as snow birds, a second unit can provide security by maintaining an indoor presence and supervision during their absence. At the same time, it provides assistance and compan- ionship, especially important for seniors and individuals with disabilities. To some homeowners who need this option, renting out part of their house can be very important, even crucial. Therefore, when con- sidering the pros and cons of allowing them to have a second suite, their property rights shall be given first priority. Historically, in many cases the objections against second suites originated from the NIMBY (not in my backyard) syndrome, rather than from an educated analysis. Still, there are legitimate concerns relating to traffic, shortage of parking, potential property neglect and neighborhood degradation, which would lead to lower real estate values in the area. In order to address these concerns, a municipality can take various measures to ensure that the func- tioning and appearance of neighborhoods is not negatively affected. First, convenient public transportation must be provided to reduce the need for park- ing, in compliance with new transportation policies. At the same time, issuing street park- ing permits could satisfy the short term needs that may be produced by second suites and would also generate municipal revenue. Secondly, registration and monitoring is essential to ensure that second suites are creat- ed and maintained only in owner-occupied homes. Thirdly, a permit application shall be required to review compliance with the build- ing code and municipal standards. The introduction of a regulated mechanism for allowing second suites, will substantially reduce the number of illegal accessory apart- ments, many of them unsafe. Statistically, second suites translate into a small increase in density. Nevertheless, people must accept the fact that population growth is inevitable and so is urban intensification. Some who prefer to live on a larger property, with more privacy and quiet, may consider Continued from page 6 moving to a less densely populated area, but they would have to face other challenges, such as transportation and fewer services. The strengths and security of a neighbour- hood relies on the relationship established among its residents. As opposed to gated and low-density communities, which in effect cre- ate human ghettoes, in a more populated and mixed community, there seems to be more interaction between neighbours. There is overwhelming evidence, based on the experience of numerous cities, that second units bring much more benefits to a communi- ty than problems, problems which can be resolved through wise municipal policies. NICHOLAS VARIAS, OAKVILLE Secondary suites help strengthen neighbourhoods